Philosophy

Respect Yourself, Respect Others, Respect Our School

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide, with parent participation, a developmentally appropriate learning experience through play, creativity and discovery.

Cooperative Preschool

As a cooperative, Metzger Community Preschool emphasizes family involvement. The school is operated by a professional teacher with parents as assistant teachers. Parents have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and parenting skills by working with the children in specific learning and play situations and by aiding in the guidance of their behavior.

Our program embraces play as essential to early learning. Through play, children learn to take turns, delay gratification, negotiate conflicts, solve problems, share goals, acquire flexibility and live with disappointment. Imaginative play also seeds the development of empathy, a key ingredient for intellectual and social-emotional success.

A Rich History

Metzger Community Preschool (under different names) is 64 years old. In September 1963, a new education wing was linked to the main building of the United Metzger Church. Reverend Paul Jewell and parents of preschool age children in the Metzger community formed a preschool/kindergarten co-op. Christine Bohrer took over in 1979 from Carolyn Fischer and taught from 1979-81. At that time it was still a play school. In 1979 a curriculum was added and it is around that time that PCPO (Parent Child Preschool Preschools Organization) became involved.  In the 79-80 school year the school moved to its present room and in the summer of 1980 the “Rainbow Room “ was added. It was cleaned out, painted and the rainbow was added. This was a gift and complete surprise to the pastor and his wife who were at an out of town conference. Thus, the "Rainbow Room” was born. In 1980-1981 the three’s program was started with Jean Talbot as teacher of the threes. It was in this two year period that the first playground was installed.

The school relocated to our current facility within Tigard Friends Community Church in 2019 where students now enjoy two indoor learning spaces and an extensive outdoor space and play structure.

The co-op program required parents to become teacher aides and set up governing guidelines. Today we have a board that continues to revise and update our guidelines as needed. All parents have voting power when changes are made to our guidelines. From 1971 until now, our school has had a total of 9 teachers.

​Our history continues to be written each and every day with each new class and their parents, who along with the teacher, keep our school running.

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Our Teacher

Teacher Paula has a passion for working with young children, and it shows in the warm, inviting school environment she creates.

Learn more about her here!

Membership Requirements

As a cooperative preschool, we require parent/volunteer involvement by working in the classroom, attending all school meetings, holding a board or committee position, participation in fundraising and general school maintenance events.

Tuition & Registration

Metzger Community Preschool is a 501c3 nonprofit organziation. The tuition and fees go towards the operations of our school and teacher salary. We do our best to provide a tuition that is fair and affordable for all who attend our shcool.

Our Commitment

With so much uncertainty in the world today, Metzger Community Preschool remains committed to helping our students and community of families thrive.

As a non-profit cooperative preschool, MCP is run by families for families--never for profit. We understand the challenges disruption can bring and are uniquely equipped to work with our families to find solutions.

​Discover how Metzger Community Preschool can support your child and family, whatever may be around the next corner.

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